If you’ve ever struggled with bloating, headaches, skin flare-ups, or fatigue after eating, you might have considered food intolerance as the culprit. These symptoms can leave you frustrated, unsure, and often in the dark about what’s going on inside your body. I have recently had a number of calls from clients wanting to discuss the value of food intolerance testing, so with over ten years experience in the field I am keen to share my thoughts. I believe it can be an incredibly powerful tool for healing the gut and reducing inflammation, leading to a clearer path toward feeling optimally healthy but it’s not essential for everyone. Before embarking on any kind of health support talking with the practitioner or therapist before committing can be paramount. When I talk with potential clients regarding this type of enquiry deciphering if digestion is merely compromised versus reactions to foods is an important first step.
Understanding Food Intolerances
Food intolerance refers to a delayed digestive response to certain foods, and unlike food allergies, which involve an immune system response, intolerances are typically related to the digestive system’s inability to properly process or absorb certain foods. Common intolerances include gluten, dairy, eggs, and various artificial additives.
While some people experience mild discomfort, others can experience chronic, on-going symptoms that can affect their quality of life. If someone sits within this camp then the tests can be valuable as it’s often difficult to pinpoint the exact foods that are causing distress. These tests typically analyse how your body responds to specific foods by measuring IgG antibodies, which can be present when your immune system has a delayed reaction to a particular food.
The Test
Food intolerance tests generally fall into two main categories:
1. Blood Tests: These involve drawing a small blood sample (often a finger prick test) that’s analysed for antibody responses to common foods. This can give you an indication of what might be triggering your symptoms.
2. Elimination Diets: While not technically a “test” in the traditional sense, an elimination diet is a trial-and-error process where you remove suspected foods from your diet and then gradually reintroduce them while monitoring your symptoms. This can be more time-consuming but also very effective.
At The Food Teacher™ Clinic we support clients to eliminate foods especially if their symptoms are not too severe otherwise we provide a finger prick blood test kit, which can be completed at home and posted back to the laboratory.
In the test we supply the blood sample is tested to identify reactions to 282 ingredients, divided into: Cereals & Seeds, Coffee & Tea, Eggs & Milk, Fish & Seafood, Meat, Fruits, Legumes, Nuts, Vegetables, Herbs, Spices, Novel Foods, Mushrooms and Other. The report produced organises the results by food group and also level of reactivity utilising a classification system of Avoid, Borderline or No Reaction, which is invaluable when developing your health plan.
It’s crucial to remember that these tests are just the starting point. Food intolerance tests can give you an idea of what foods may be problematic, but they don’t tell you why your body is reacting the way it is, which is where the expertise of an experienced Registered Nutritional Therapist comes in.
Working with a Registered Nutritional Therapist
A Registered Nutritional Therapist (BANT, CNHC) doesn’t just hand you a list of foods to avoid and send you on your way. They take a much deeper, holistic approach, building a timeline of your health and mapping your signs and symptoms considering your lifestyle and potential imbalances. This all helps you understand the root cause of your food intolerances and helps to develop a comprehensive plan to address them.
Identifying Underlying Causes
Food intolerances don’t usually occur in isolation; they often point to underlying issues in the gut or immune system. An experienced Registered Nutritional Therapist can work with you to explain and explore potential causes such as gut dysbiosis (an imbalance in gut bacteria), compromised gut lining, or inflammation.
Healing the Gut
Gut health is foundational to overall well-being, and working to heal the gut is often a crucial first step in eliminating food intolerances. An anti-inflammatory, gut-healing diet, focusing on foods that support the integrity of the gut lining and balance your microbiome is vital.
At the same time, avoiding foods that might further irritate your digestive system, such as gluten, dairy, sugar, and processed foods, all of which can contribute to inflammation and gut dysbiosis might also be relevant for you.
Reducing Inflammation
Chronic inflammation is often at the root of food intolerances, as it can cause your digestive system to react negatively to certain foods. Adopting an anti-inflammatory approach to eating can be helpful. This may include foods like turmeric, ginger, omega-3 rich fish (salmon, mackerel), and berries, all known for their potent anti-inflammatory properties.
Gradual Food Reintroduction
Once you’ve healed your gut and reduced inflammation, the next step is food reintroduction. This can be tricky, as it’s important to do so slowly and mindfully to assess how your body responds.
Creating a Sustainable Lifestyle
Finally you need to build a sustainable eating and lifestyle plan that supports your long-term health including not just food choices but also stress management, sleep hygiene, and physical activity—all factors that contribute to overall wellness and digestive health. By integrating all of these elements, you’re more likely to maintain your progress and continue feeling your best.
Client Feedback
Feedback from clients is essential at The Food Teacher™ Clinic so you don’t have to just take my word for it! J. Bunney’s review reads; ” I went to Katharine because of allergy and skin issues and having had intolerance testing which showed up red for lots of key food groups. She has been so helpful and supportive guiding me through the right way to heal my gut and reduce inflammation on the body through eating the right foods and taking the right supplements. Having read a lot I had a good idea on some of the key things that might help me but she has been key in helping me actually implementing strategies and focus in on the key things that would make a difference to me.
I feel great and my allergy and skin issues have really improved. I had also been having some hormonal bloating and this has completely resolved.
I can’t recommend Katharine highly enough and only wish I’d known to see her sooner!”
If you’ve been struggling with unexplained symptoms or wondering why certain foods leave you feeling unwell, taking this holistic approach can offer you a personalised, sustainable way to regain control of your health and start feeling your best again. Healing your gut isn’t just a trend—it’s a game-changeryou’re your long-term health.
For nutrition support contact The Food Teacher™ Clinic for a free telephone consultation. You can also book a personalised Nutritional Therapy Consultation or a Food Intolerance Profile.
To find out more visit The Food Teacher™ or email Info@thefoodteacher.co.uk
